Late Maracanã notice puts Zico’s Jogo das Estrelas in doubt | OneFootball

The Maracanã consortium has belatedly flagged December dates as unavailable, complicating Zico’s traditional Jogo das Estrelas charity match. According to Coluna Do Fla, the event has met resistance from the stadium.

Zico’s team targeted 27 or 28 December. A switch to six December was proposed but rejected, and the stadium only recently confirmed the original dates were unavailable.

Zico now accepts this year’s edition may not be held at the Maracanã. The plan is to keep those dates at another venue in or outside Rio, as previous editions have used Nilton Santos and Morumbi during works.

The ground, run by Flamengo and Fluminense, has shows booked, with Henrique & Juliano on 12 December and Xuxa on 20 December. In January, System of a Down, Faith No More and BK play on 15 and 16.

Pitch works add pressure. Replacement was slated for after the Brasileiro, but repairs began in this FIFA window after the NFL game on 27 September, and full renewal remains due in December.

The consortium also declined Vasco’s request, citing field conditions, and Vasco have gone to court to secure their Copa Sul-Americana tie with Boca Juniors on 20 October.

Flamengo goalkeeper Rossi complained that the pitch has worsened, making ball control harder. He called for quicker play and a solution, a view echoed by team-mates.

Flamengo visit Santos on eight October, 19:30 Brasília time, at Vila Belmiro, then host Fluminense on 11 October at 17:30. Their Maracanã season ends on two December against Chapecoense.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”